Roberto Zaino Joins WORLDSPACE(R) Italia

Roberto Zaino Joins WORLDSPACE(R) Italia

Industry Pioneer Becomes Content Director for Europe's First Satellite Radio Platform

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:WRSP) , one of the world leaders in satellite-based digital radio services, today announced the appointment of Roberto Zaino as content director for WORLDSPACE(R) Italia, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company. WORLDSPACE Italia is expected to bring mobile satellite radio services to the Italian marketplace with after market equipment available late next year and in certain Fiat Group Automobiles' models as original equipment in late 2009.

Robert Zaino is known in Italy as a pioneer of the radio broadcasting industry having began his career with the launch of Radio Milano International over 30 years ago. Throughout the years, Zaino has produced numerous, innovative programmes for radio, television and film. His most recent accomplishment was with RTL 102.5, where from 2005 to 2007, he increased daily listenership at this privately-owned station from 3.6 to over 5.5 million, according to Audiradio Data.

Zaino also founded and for 11 years ran his own media production company where he worked on numerous broadcast projects for both radio and TV. His love of contemporary Italian art led him to establish Amnesia Editions -- an art catalogue publishing house. Zaino also organized over 100 contemporary art exhibitions in Italy and throughout Europe, and applied his radio savvy to produce Art Made in Italy, a multi-part series showcasing major Italian artists, which ran in over 120 markets worldwide. Zaino's accomplishments also include writing and directing four short films and authoring three books. He has also won many radio awards including three for best original program in 1997, 2003 and 2005

"I am very excited at the opportunity afforded me by WORLDSPACE Italia. I look forward to using this great new technology's vast capacity to offer a wide variety of unique programming to our Italian customers who today yearn for radio that steps outside the traditional mold," said Roberto Zaino.

"We are very pleased to have Roberto join the growing WORLDSPACE Italia team," said Alexander P. Brown, co-COO, WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio. "His knowledge of the Italian radio industry and the radio consumer, coupled with his innovation and creativity in the broadcasting arena, is just what we need as we prepare for launch in the Italian marketplace in late 2008."

WORLDSPACE Italia expects to begin broadcasting throughout Italy in late 2008. The content bouquet is expected to consist of 40-50 channels of commercial-free music, news, entertainment, talk and sports programming. WORLDSPACE plans to use the most advanced digital audio technology available for both aftermarket and OEM (factory installed) radio receivers. The Company announced an agreement with FIAT Group Automobiles in July 2007, in which Fiat will introduce WORLDSPACE satellite radios as factory-installed optional equipment on certain of its Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia models in late 2009. The Company will also offer portable satellite radios to subscribers through Fiat's vast network of dealerships and other aftermarket channels.

About WORLDSPACE(R) Italia, S.p.A.

WORLDSPACE(R) Italia, S.p.A., is a majority-owned subsidiary of WORLDSPACE's European holding company, WORLDSPACE(R) Europe. WORLDSPACE Italia's other partner is New Satellite Radio S.r.l., an Italian company whose primary shareholder is Class Editori S.p.A., a leading Italian financial, media and broadcast corporation based in Milan. Telecom Italia, a leading Italian telecommunications and infrastructure company, is also a shareholder in New Satellite Radio. WORLDSPACE anticipates launching Europe's first satellite digital radio and data service to portable and vehicular devices in late 2008, in Italy.

About WORLDSPACE(R) Satellite Radio

Based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Worldspace, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRSP) is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WORLDSPACE(R) delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner. WORLDSPACE subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WORLDSPACE content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN International, RFI and Virgin Radio UK.

WORLDSPACE has two satellites covering two-thirds of the earth's population with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WORLDSPACE Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage areas. WORLDSPACE is a pioneer of satellite-based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more info, visit http://www.worldspace.com/.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs about future events and financial, political and social trends and assumptions it has made based on information currently available to it. The Company cannot assure that any expectations, forecasts or assumptions made by management in preparing these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that any projections will be realized. Such forward-looking statements may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. For factors that could cause actual results to vary, perhaps materially, from these forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other subsequent filings. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio

CONTACT: Judith Pryor of WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio, +1-301-960-1242,
jpryor@worldspace.com

Web site: http://www.worldspace.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment